Sage has antiviral properties. You can gargle with the tincture, or you can take it at the first sign of a cold. This sage tincture recipe is a simple folk remedy to try at home with your herbal harvest. Don’t overthink it: Grab some herbs, bring them inside and try it out. (Read more about sage in Sage Varieties: Growing Tips and Recipes.)

• Sage leaves • 190-proof alcohol

1. Gather a few handfuls of sage leaves from your garden. Bring them inside, wash and dry them. When you think the leaves are dry, spread towels on the countertop, cover with a layer of sage leaves, and let air dry for a few hours or overnight.

2. Chop up the fresh sage, and place the herb in a clean, dry 1-pint glass jar. Cover the herb with the alcohol.

3. Put the lid on, and place in a cool, dark place (like a kitchen cabinet) for 2 weeks, shaking thoroughly every day.

4. Remove the jar from the cabinet, take off the lid, cover top of jar with cheesecloth and strain out plant material as you pour the tincture into a colored glass container. (Cobalt blue or amber glass keeps out harmful sunlight.) A bottle with a dropper attached to the lid makes it easy to administer your tincture.

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